Boise Man Arrested for Setting Walmart on Fire

BOISE (KTVB) -- A Boise man is facing a felony arson charge after police say he intentionally set a fire at a Boise store early Friday morning.

Curtis Alan Plum, 33, was arrested early Friday morning after police received a report of a suspicious fire outside a business near the intersection of North Cole Road and West Ustick Road at 3:48 a.m.

Boise Fire spokeswoman Tammy Barry said the arsonist set fire to several propane tanks outside of the Walmart at 3233 Cole Road. Investigators believe Plum poured gasoline on and around the containers of propane before setting the fire.

Barry said firefighters were able to get the blaze under control before flames spread to the building, and the Walmart store was undamaged. The propane tanks were scorched, but did not explode, she said.

Officers set up a perimeter and found Plum, who matched a description of the man who started the fire, a short distance away. He was arrested and booked into the Ada County Jail on a charge of first-degree arson.

Plum is due to appear in court Monday afternoon. If convicted, he could face up to 25 years in prison.